Victoria College student's art put on display

By BY DIANNA WRAY
April 23, 2011 at 10 p.m.Updated April 22, 2011 at 11:23 p.m.

Rachel Willis grinned, looking at her photographs hanging on the wall outside Victoria College President Tom Butler's office.

"It's really great," the 19-year-old student said.

Each semester, the art professors at Victoria College take turns choosing a student's art to display in Butler's office. Each time he gets to choose, Shreepad Joglekar, an associate professor of photography at the college, looks for progress, potential and growth in the work.

Joglekar chose to display the photographs that comprised Willis' final project because he was impressed with both the project and how much her work has improved during the semester.

"I chose Rachel's work because I think she is one of the finest students we have in the program," Joglekar said.

Joglekar said he thinks it's important to acknowledge the work students do.

"Having their work on display like this gives them confidence. It helps them believe that they can really do this, and that's important," he said.

The photographs in Willis' final project are based on the use of shadow. Willis arranged a set of small objects, including mingling doll-sized teacups, childhood hair ribbons, and silver and gold toys.

She photographed the objects, capturing the play of light and shadow in the way they were caught by the lens.

"The project is about childhood and dreams," Willis said.

The photographs will hang in the office until the end of the semester in May.

Butler said he always enjoys having art on his walls.

"It's important to display the talents of our students," Butler said, admiring one of the pictures.